A system for brewing medicinal beverages, using a cartridge-based beverage formation apparatus, comprises a cartridge containing a beverage composition comprising a mixture of one or more water-soluble active pharmacological treatment agents, such as pain relievers, cold medications, sleeping aids, laxatives, stimulants, or vitamins, and one or more water-soluble non-pharmacological constituents, which can include water-soluble carbohydrates, proteins, alcohols, sweetening, flavoring and coloring agents, anti-caking agents, buffering and acidifying agents, surfactants, thickening and stabilizing agents, antioxidants and/or preservatives.